Evans Block · Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 3.0The nearest college is 23 miles from Smithville
No college is within 15 miles of Smithville. The nearest is Fortis Institute-Cookeville in Cookeville, TN (301 students on campus); Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin is 46.9 miles away and Tennessee Technological University 23.2 miles.
From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Smithville. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Smithville
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
The nearest college to Smithville
No college is within 15 miles, so this is the closest one. The map also shows the nearest community college and public university, priced below.
Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.
What would your family pay?
The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the nearest college, the nearest community college and the nearest public university. Pick your family’s income.
Starts at $30–48k, where Smithville’s median household income ($33,192) falls.
The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.
Do students finish, and does it pay?
The same three colleges: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.
Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid. *Reported for all the campuses that file together: Fortis Institute-Cookeville (3).
Questions about college near Smithville
What is the closest college to Smithville?
Fortis Institute-Cookeville in Cookeville, TN, 23 miles in a straight line from the center of Smithville. No college is within 15 miles.
What is the closest community college to Smithville, and what does it cost?
Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin, 46.9 miles away. Tuition and fees are $4,756 a year for Tennessee residents; the federal net price, $7,802, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does Tennessee Technological University cost if we live in Tennessee?
Tuition and fees are $11,376 a year in-state and $15,576 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $9,815 (under $30,000 income) to $18,936 (over $110,000), housing and food included.
How many Smithville residents are in college?
About 1 of every 100 (Census, 2020–24), below Tennessee (5). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Neighbors talk college
Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.
Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Smithville. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →